Hello everyone!
So I know I'm in the middle of three other stories but I couldn't resist this one. I've never done an all-human story before and the thoughts just kept bugging me.
Summary: 16-year-old Bella and her 17-year-old adopted siblings, twins Jasper and Rosalie, live an average life with their adoptive mother Esme Swan. That is, until the Cullen family move to the small town of Forks. Bella and new boy, Edward Cullen, hate each other from the day they first meet. They make an unsaid treaty to avoid each other, until Carlisle, Edward's adoptive father and doctor in the small town, proposes to Esme. One day, Bella gets a phone call; one single phone call that could mean the end of her life. And though her new family would give anything to make her safe again, some things only fate can decide. All Human.
This one starts off all human, is all-human, and will remain all human.
Bella POV
"Rose!" I yelled, glaring up the white staircase. "Jazz we're going to be late!"
"Jeez Bells," Jasper grumbled, running down the stairs two at a time. His mop of blonde hair was damp, wetting his hand as he ran it through. He shook his head, rolling his eyes at me. "We've still got a half an hour before school starts," he pointed out, gesturing to the grandfather clock, which read 7:30.
"I'm still doing my make-up Bella!" Rose called angrily. "You messed me up!"
Jazz and I laughed merrily. He ruffled my hair, coming to stand next to me. Together we stared up at the top landing of the stairs.
"Hey Jazz?" I asked tentatively.
He turned his bright blue gaze on me questioningly. "What?"
"You're casting a shadow on me down here," I said teasingly. Jasper towered over me at six foot three. I stood just lower than his shoulder, only five four. He chuckled, resting an arm on my shoulder, which was at a perfect height for him. I leaned my head on the sleeve of his dark blue button down, still staring at the stairs.
"Rose it's been five minutes," Jasper said loudly, glancing at his watch. "We're leaving."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," she huffed hurrying down the stairs. Her long blonde waves cascaded down her back as she pushed past us. "You two have no patience."
"Bye Mom!" I yelled, cutting off Jasper's on coming retort.
I heard Esme's trilling laugh as she called back, "There is a new family in town. The Cullens. There are three kids at your school. Be nice to them."
"Oh!" Rose gasped, surprised. "We never get new kids. We will, bye Mom."
Jasper ushered us out the double front door, pushing it shut behind us. "We're going to be late."
"I told you," I cried exasperatedly. I ran around the house to the garage. I sighed happily, tracing my hand over my shiny new light blue Mercedes before turning towards Jasper's BMW. (A/N. I'm sorry. I hated the big read truck. I love sports cars.)
He shook his head, jangling his keys in one hand. "I've got football practice today," he explained.
I shrieked excitedly, pulling my keys from my bag. "See you at school!" I swung myself into my car, listening to the soft purr of the engine. A contented sigh escaped my lips and I pulled out. I raced along the highway, enjoying the feel of the power under me. Suddenly a silver Volvo shot in front of me, cutting me off. I swerved to avoid it, moving to the next lane.
"What the hell!" I swore. I heard Jasper's horn behind me and beeped mine twice, signaling I was fine. I pulled into the school lot, following the silver car, feeling Jasper and Rose behind me. I parked smoothly, allowing Jasper to pull his car in next to mine before getting out.
Rose grabbed my shoulders as soon as I was free of the seat belt. "Are you alright?" she asked urgently. Her blue eyes surveyed me carefully, glistening with unshed tears.
"I'm fine Rose, really," I convinced her, shrugging out from under her hands. "What the hell was he thinking?"
Jasper glared at the silver Volvo, his hand on my arm. "I'll find out," he snarled angrily.
"Jazz, I'm fine," I repeated, grabbing his wrist as he wheeled towards the car. "Nothing happened to me. It's not worth it."
He turned his hard look on me. "Not worth it?" he questioned harshly. His eyes danced with sapphire fire. "He could have killed you!"
I rested my hand on his shoulder. "But he didn't. I'm fine. I'm a better driver than that."
His blonde hair ruffled as he shook his head. "He just cut in front of you! If you had been just a second off, you would have died!"
Their parents had been in a car crash, a hit and run. The other driver was a drunk and their parents had died before they reached the hospital. They had told me back when I was adopted. Rose still didn't like driving because of that, always fearing that it would happen again.
I wrapped my arms around his chest, hugging him tightly. "I know you're worried. I know why you're worried. I'm sorry but I'm okay. Really I'm fine." He hugged me back, his other arm bringing Rose into the embrace. He rested his chin on my head. She hugged us both, stroking my hair gently.
"I know we seem like we're over reacting but we don't want anything to happen to you Bells," Rose whispered. "You're our only little sister."
"We couldn't loose you too Bells," Jasper added.
Slowly we all loosened our grips on each other. I sniffed softly, trying to hide the tears in my eyes.
"Hello?" a high birdlike voice asked.
I turned, looking for the owner of the voice. A small pixie like girl was standing by the tail of my car. She blinked green eyes at me.
"Hi," I said hesitantly, moving so I stood at the forefront of my family.
"I'm Alice Cullen," she introduced herself. I shook her hand silently. "I came to apologize for my brother's… inexcusable driving style. He really didn't mean too."
I felt Jasper stiffen at my side. I took his hand inconspicuously, squeezing it gently. What I didn't notice was Rosalie.
"Well tell him to watch what he's doing next time," she said defensively.
Alice looked slightly hurt by Rose's harsh tone.
"Thank you," I said forcefully, giving Rose a hard look. "For apologizing for your brother. He's lucky to have a sister that does that for him."
She gave me a small smile. "He's really a good guy, he's just having a bad day."
I nodded. "Happens to everyone right?"
"Yeah," she agreed. "I had better go get my schedule. Could you point me in the direction of the front office?"
"Uh, I could take you there," Jasper suggested grinning.
Alice blushed a light shade of pink. "Thanks!" she giggled cheerfully. "That's very kind of you."
Rose and I watched Jasper lead Alice away, giggling. "Jazzy's got a crush!" I hissed to her.
"I know!" she whispered back.
I said goodbye to Rose, hurrying down the hallway to my locker. I twisted the padlock open and grabbed my books for English. I was about to turn when someone slammed me back against the lockers.
I looked up to see a tall, bronze haired, green-eyed Greek god glaring at me. "Watch where you're going!" he snapped.
"Excuse me but you hit me," I pointed out as patiently as I could. I narrowed my eyes speculatively. "You're one of the new kids. You're the one that tried to crash into me this morning."
"You were the one who was driving poorly," he accused.
"Are you kidding?" I shrieked. "If I hadn't swerved, we would have crashed!"
The bell rang loudly.
I flashed him one last annoyed look before shoving past him. "Good day Mr. Cullen," I growled sarcastically. I practically ran to the English room.
At Lunch
I skipped out of my seat, flying from the geometry classroom. I pushed my way through the throng of massing people in the halls.
The doors of the cafeteria stood open. I ran through the lunch line, grabbing a slice of pizza and a soda. I paid quickly, all the while looking over my shoulder, my eyes scanned the room for Rose and Jasper. I found them sitting at a table with Alice and boy. The boy was huge. His muscled arms looked as if they could snap me in half. I shuddered slightly at the memories it stirred.
Get a grip Bella. I snapped at myself. He's in jail. He's in Phoenix. He won't come back.
I sat down in one of the open seats next to Jasper. "Hey Rose, Jasper, Alice!" I greeted, pulling off my coat and smiling at them. I couldn't quite smile at the boy next to Alice but I didn't want to be rude. I nodded my head to him. "Hi," I murmured. "I'm Bella."
He chuckled boisterously, grinning with huge dimples on each cheek. "I'm Emmett, Alice's brother. I've heard a lot about you in let's see, Spanish, Trig, and English."
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"I have Spanish with your sister and Trig and English with your brother," he explained, winking at Rose when he mentioned her. She blushed and giggled softly. "And your short story is posted on the wall in English."
I nodded again. Unsure of what to say, I picked up my pizza and began eating in silence.
"So Bella," Rose interjected. "Alice and I wanted to go shopping this weekend."
"We just went two weeks ago," I grumbled.
"You haven't been shopping in two weeks!" Alice shrieked, an appalled look crossing her face. "I don't know what I would do."
"I hate shopping," I groaned miserably.
Emmett and Jasper burst out laughing at the pained expression on my face.
Jasper patted my back lightly. "Emmett, his brother and I have a football game this Saturday. You can come instead of going shopping," Jasper comforted me.
"Oh, no!" Alice and Rosalie said simultaneously.
"We need someone to carry our bags," Rose whined. "We can't carry all of them. We'll go on Sunday. And Bella you are coming."
"I'll go on Sunday," Emmett volunteered, grinning at Rose. She flashed him another small smile. Jasper cleared his throat loudly, his blue eyes hardening.
"Over protective," Rose grumbled quietly.
"Actually Rose, no I'm not going," I disagreed, a broad, relieved smile growing on my face. Rose glared a warning not to argue with her. "Roger, Kiana, Liesel, and their new baby David have a seven hour delay on their flight to Juno and I have plans to meet them."
Her expression changed, an understanding look touching her eyes. "Alright," she sighed. "You'll have to come with us another time."
"Who are Roger, Kiana and the other two?" Emmett prodded curiously.
"Roger investigated my parents… murder," I choked out. My chocolate brown eyes welled with tears and my face burned.
Jasper wrapped an arm around my shoulders and I pressed my face into his shoulder. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I cried silently.
"I'm sorry," I said, letting out a bitter laugh. I rubbed my face on the hem of my shirt. Rose didn't even complain as the salt ruined the forest green silk. "I should be… over this, I guess. It was nine years ago." Jasper kept his arm around me, comforting me without words. He was great like that. He always knew when I was hurting and how to make me feel better. Rose reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it gently. "And if… it didn't happen, I wouldn't have Jazz and Rose. And Esme."
"You're adopted?" Alice asked, careful not to give me any more grief.
Jasper nodded. "Esme is Bella's Aunt and my mom was Esme's best friend from school. Rose and my parents were in a car crash, hit and run, drunk driver. Esme took us in almost immediately after she turned eighteen. Bella came three years later."
"We, my twin Edward, and I were adopted by Carlisle when we were seven. He's our godfather," Alice explained.
Emmett added his story to tack it off, "Alice and Edward are my cousins and when my mom was declared incapable of taking care of me, Carlisle adopted me too."
"Edward!" Alice called suddenly, waving at someone over my head.
My head turned to glance at whom she spoke to. Sure enough, the boy from the hallway was gliding towards us. Hatred flickered in my eyes and I stiffened under Jasper's arm. Jasper, noticing my changing emotion shot a questioning look at me. I shook my head, shrugging out from under his arm. "See you all later," I said gruffly, grabbing my tray and dumping the half eaten food in the trash.
"Bells?" Rose asked curiously but I was already half way towards the door.
Last Period Gym
"Hey Ange," I waved over my best friend Angela.
She smiled in return, coming to stand at my side. "Hey Bella, have you met the new kids yet?" Angela inquired.
I nodded. "Alice and Emmett are great."
Her eyes narrowed, noticing that I had purposefully left out the other Cullen boy. Fortunately Coach Clapp blew his whistle at that second.
"Running," he yelled. "Up and down the bleacher steps. Ten minutes."
I groaned in unison with half the class before beginning my run up and down the stairs. Ange ran right behind me; I could feel her presence, her eyes boring into my back.
Coach blew the whistle, signaling five minutes had passed. I whimpered softly to myself. It felt as if hours had passed, not minutes.
Suddenly my foot flew out from under me. I toppled forward, hours of lessons with Roger and Jason reminding me to tuck my head and cover my neck. My arms wound around the base of my neck as I fell down the stairs. I hit the floor with a cry of pain, my body uncurling and laying flat. Well, most of my body. My leg was twisted at an impossible angle to the rest of my body and pain radiated from it. I gasped loudly, trying to breathe through the burning pain. My vision blurred and turned black around the edges.
"Newton, go find Jasper and Rosalie," Coach Clapp ordered. "Cheney run to the office and call 911."
"I'm fine," I choked on the words.
Angela spoke from my left. Her warm hand touched my shoulder. "No Bella, you aren't fine. You're leg is probably broken and your head is bleeding."
We remained in silence, broken only by the sound of my labored breathing and the hisses of whispering students.
"Bella!" Jasper yelled, dropping to my side. His large hand touched the back of my head gingerly. I winced at the sting of his fingertips. "I have to see how bad it is Bella. I know it hurts but I have to check." I sucked my lip into my mouth to keep from screaming aloud when he lifted my head to inspect the cuts. "Damn," he swore. Rose knelt at his side, worried by her brother's harsh language. Jasper never swore unless the situation was serious. She gasped, horrified. I clenched my eyes shut, trying to force the picture of a mangled head out of my mind. My parents' heads.
"What happened?" Rose demanded touching my forehead gently, all the while glaring at Coach Clapp. Jasper was shrugging out of his shirt. He ignored the giggles of the girls, pressing the fabric to the back of my head, attempting to staunch the flow of blood. A small whine escaped my lips.
"I'm sorry Bella," he murmured softly.
Angela bit her lip worriedly before answering them. "She tripped on the stairs and fell."
"How badly does it hurt?" Rose asked me.
"Not too much," I breathed, my eyes still tightly shut.
"Don't lie Bella," Jasper chided.
Sirens wailed around the school.
"Finally," Jasper sighed exasperatedly. "This might hurt Bella," he warned before scooping me up off the ground and carrying me from the gym.
I gasped again, a tear rolling from the corner of my eye. The world seemed to grow darker and darker until nothing but pure black remained.
The steady beep of a heart monitor woke me. I blinked disoriented by the light pouring in through the window.
"Bella, sweetie, are you awake?" I heard Mom's voice asking. She sounded worried, exhausted.
A small whisper escaped my lips, "Yeah."
"I was so worried," she sighed. "I got a call while I was painting saying you were brought to the hospital unconscious. When Carlisle… I mean Dr. Cullen told me what had happened…"
"Really, Mom," I cut across her nervous babble. "I'm fine. Now please, shh." I brought one hand to my head, trying to ease the hard pounding. I rubbed my forehead with my hand, groaning softly.
I winced at the soft rapping on the door.
Esme immediately floated up from her seat, pulling the door open. She whispered something too quiet for me to hear over the blood thudding in my ears.
"Bella," Dr. Cullen said. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes," I moaned. "Yes, I hear you."
His fingers probed gently along my skull. "Your mother says you have a headache."
I just nodded.
"Sharp or aching pain?" he asked, looking up at me, a pen and clipboard in hand.
"Aching," I croaked.
He nodded understandingly, scribbling furiously on his clipboard. "That will happen," he agreed. "You had quite a fall. Your leg is broken and your ribs are bruised. No internal bleeding; that was good. Nothing permanent, but we'll have to keep you over night for observation. Do you remember what happened?"
I tried to concentrate, trying to think straight. I thought I had it, the memory, but it slipped away. "No," I whispered, looking up at him. "Is that bad?"
Dr. Cullen pursed his lips worriedly. "We'll have to take X-rays to see if you have a concussion."
"Carlisle, can I speak to you for a second in the hall?" Mom asked shyly. A light pink blush crept up her cheeks.
I smiled, suspecting something when he blushed slightly, nodding.
The two of them left, closing the door silently behind him. The door slid open a second later, Jasper and Rosalie flying through.
"Bella," Rose sighed, throwing her arms around me. I flinched at the movement it caused my aching chest and leg.
"Rose," Jasper reprimanded, noticing my discomfort, pulling her away immediately. He opened his mouth to speak.
"Please, please, don't ask if I'm alright?" I breathed, dropping my head into my hand again.
He rubbed my back brotherly. "We were really worried Bella," he said. "Twice in one day you could've died."
"And each time I didn't so there's no need to worry," I pointed out dryly. "I hate attention."
"Can you really condemn us for worrying about you?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing. "Can you really expect us to not worry about you?"
"No. I guess not," I said. "I just…"
"Hate the attention, we know," Rose finished. "But Bells, we love you, you know that. We don't want to loose you. You worried about Jasper when he was in the hospital when we were younger. You worried about me when I broke my arm. We're family, it's what we do."
"I know, I just wish…" my voice trailed off. What do I wish? Did I wish that they wouldn't worry about me? Wouldn't I be sad if they didn't care?
Two Weeks Later
"Rose!" I squealed ecstatically. "Rose!"
Both my siblings came sprinting down the hall, throwing my bedroom door open.
"What is it?" Jasper demanded, looking around wildly. "What's wrong?"
Rose's face was as pale as his, her hair still dripping wet from her shower. "Bells, what happened? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, of course," I said bouncing up and down cheerfully. Mercifully the bruises on my ribs had healed and nothing but my leg remained injured. There had only been a minor concussion, nothing life threatening.
"Don't do that Bella," Jasper groaned, leaning back against the doorframe. "Do have any idea how stressful it is? With you injured screaming for someone?"
"Technically I was squealing for Rose," I said pertly. "Mom has a date!"
Rose screamed. Jasper and I both clapped our hands over our ears, screwing our eyes shut against the noise.
"Oh my God!" she screamed. "Who?"
"Dr. Cullen," I answered, grinning.
"I knew it!" she squealed.
"I know!" I complied. "Whenever they talk, they're always blushing and she's always giggling and he can never look at her and…"
Jasper interrupted. "That's all very nice," he said cuttingly, but even he couldn't keep the delight from his face.
He had recently asked Alice on a date and came back glowing. She didn't stop babbling about him the next day; all through the day she kept up a constant chatter of how absolutely perfect my brother was. I nodded and said, 'yeah' when expected but I wasn't really paying attention to her. After about an hour, I had gotten rather board of hearing how the light danced in his eyes and how his hair was beautiful in the candlelight.
Not that I was bitter or God forbid jealous. I was happy for Jasper, and had always thought of him as the big brother I had never had. He and Rose had happily accepted me into their little circle of familial affection. They made me feel safe. I needed to feel safe after him. After that.
Rose cut across my thoughts. "That's so very nice," she said looking dreamy. She too had found romance in the Cullen family. Emmett had taken her to dinner twice in the past two weeks, with Jasper's permission of course. Jasper had been somewhat forced into agreeing, as he was asking for permission to date Alice in the same conversation but all of it turned out well.
Mom came home that night, stars in her eyes, her cheeks flushed a bright pink. She danced around the kitchen humming to her self all the next morning. Rose and I giggled into our breakfast and Jasper rolled his eyes. She just shushed us, saying she was still young. Which of course was true. Esme after all was only 26. And as she pointed out, that was the perfect age for a 28-year-old man. Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Rose and I aw-ed at all the right parts as she described her date with the doctor. He had taken her to dinner on at the Port Angelas Harbor and it had been amazing.
Jasper, Emmett and Edward got along perfectly well. Emmett and Edward had joined the football and soccer team with Jasper as team captain of both. Rose, Alice and I went to games, cheering them on as they won every game and finished both seasons undefeated. They played perfectly together, as if they knew where they would pass the ball before the pass was put into action. With all of them in forward position during the soccer season, they scored their to every win.
Everything between the Swan and Cullen family seemed to be perfect. Everything that is, but me and Edward. "He's rude! He's inconsiderate, impolite, and infuriatingly cynical!" I had ranted to Rose. She just nodded, completely spaced out, dreaming of Emmett's 'perfect dimpled face' as she put.
Months went on like that. My birthday then Jasper and Roses' birthday came and went. We celebrated with the Cullens over of course. I kept silent for most of it, determined to keep myself from snapping at Edward. We kept out of each other's way for the most part, occasionally staging a verbal jousting match.
I was sitting home alone on a warm June evening eight months later. Rose and Jasper were out on dates with Emmett and Alice; Mom was out running errands. The doorbell rang. I looked up from my book, curious.
"Dr. Cullen," I gasped surprised. "Hi, come in. Sorry Esme's out right now. We ran out of milk and eggs this morning."
"Oh that's alright and Carlisle please," he said, looking somewhat relieved. "I actually came to talk to you."
I cocked my head to one side, confused now. "Oh, come in then." I waved him inside and followed him into the kitchen. "What did you want to talk about?" I inquired.
He seated himself in the dining chair across from me, ringing his hands together nervously. "You know I love Esme very much," he began.
"Yeah, she loves you too," I agreed.
A smile spread across his face and he ran a hand through his usually neat blonde hair. His blue eyes twinkled dreamily, thinking of my mother. "I came here to ask if you would be alright if I asked her to marry me." He looked up at me nervously.
I gaped. "You're asking what? My permission?"
"Well yeah I guess so," he said shrugging.
"Why?" I questioned, even more confused than ever. Why the hell would he ask my permission?
"Well, I couldn't ask her in good conscience when each of us have families. It's different for us now. If I had met her when we were younger, before we each adopted you all, it would be different. Now we both have to consider whether you lot would be able to deal with another family," he explained. "And apart from that, I was raised by very old fashioned parents. And since I don't know her father it's seems only right to ask the next head of house." He grinned.
"I'm not head of house," I stuttered.
"Well I couldn't ask Esme her permission to ask her to marry me could I?" We both chuckled.
"No I guess you couldn't, but why me? Why not Jasper or Rose?" I agreed still laughing.
"Though your siblings are very nice, you are more mature than they are. They are still caught up in the swing of teenage years while you show none of that," he shrugged again. "You just seem more in control and grown up."
The smile faded from my lips as I recalled why I grew up so quickly. "I haven't been a child since I was seven," I sighed. "I wasn't given a choice."
"Is that when your parents… passed?" he asked gently.
I nodded sadly. A change of subject was called for so I complied. "But you and Esme? She would love that!" I smiled reassuringly. "I know she'll say yes."
"But will you and your siblings be alright with that?" he said, smiling at my mother's name. "If she says yes, we would all end up moving in together. Don't think we haven't noticed how you and Edward resent each other."
I bit my lip. "When she says yes," I corrected. "I want Mom to be happy. I think I can put up with Edward for that," I said nodding.
He laughed lightly, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you Bella."
The key turned in the lock. "Bella, honey?" Esme called.
"In the kitchen Mom but I've got to go do homework," I yelled back. "Go help her with the groceries," I whispered to Dr. Cullen, grinning suggestively. "I'm going upstairs to do 'homework'."
I skipped up the stairs. I raced quickly and silently down the hall, grabbing my iFlip video camera from my desk and flying back to the top landing. I sat hidden behind the wall. I pointed my video camera at the two of them, grinning wildly. The little red button lit up and I sat silently.
"Hello dear," I heard Carlisle say.
"Oh, Carlisle," she gasped. "I didn't know you were here."
"My car is in the driveway," he answered lightly, giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek. I giggled silently as she blushed, pushing her bag of groceries into her arms. He took them from her arms, setting them on the table by the door. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked nervously. If he had been nervous asking my permission, it was nothing compared to how nervous he was now.
He glanced nervously at the place where I was hidden while she set her purse next to the bag of groceries. I nodded, still grinning, hiding the camera from view. He nodded anxiously, biting his lower lip.
"What is dear?" she questioned. She touched his cheek gently, a small, flirtatious smile dancing across her face.
"I love you so much," he whispered, falling onto one knee. Mom gasped softly as he pulled a velvet ring box from his pocket. "Esme, will you marry me?" Dr. Cullen asked, looking up at her hopefully.
She opened her mouth, gasping slightly. "Yes, yes a million times yes!" she breathed, throwing her arms around him. He wrapped one of his arms around her waist, the other pulling her face up to meet his. He slid the ring onto her ring finger, their mouths moving together.
"Congratulations Mom," I whispered into the camera.
"Bella," she called breathlessly.
"Congratulations!" I screamed running carefully down the stairs. I moved cautiously, not wanting to fall again. I threw my arms around them both laughing ecstatically.
"You knew," she accused, her eyes twinkling. "You knew and you didn't tell me!"
"Relax I only found out a few minutes ago," I laughed.
"I had to ask permission," he whispered in her ear.
I gagged leaning back against the wall.
"Don't you have homework?" Carlisle asked, raising his eyebrows at me.
I shook my head, still grinning impishly. "Finished the essays yesterday."
"I wish my kids would do their homework like that," he sighed.
"Don't worry," Esme said, cupping his cheek. "I'm sure Bella can teach them a thing or two; she did Rose and Jasper."
"I'll have to take you up on that," he said, pressing their lips together.
"So am I telling everyone or are you guys?" I interrupted.
Esme rolled her eyes. "As if you weren't going to call them all the second you get up those stairs."
"She wasn't going to call Edward," Carlisle pointed out lightly.
"Bella, you could at least try to be nice to him," she sighed.
"You know what. I'll tell them. You two just go have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do," I said pointing a finger at them both.
Esme blushed furiously, burying her face in Carlisle's chest.
"Shoo," I waved them out the front door.
I raced up the stairs, pulling my cell phone from my back pocket. I dialed a six way call to Rose, Jasper, Alice, Emmett, and yes, Edward.
"What?" Rose, Jasper, Alice, and Emmett all yelled.
"I hope you're all using that common sense I worked so hard to beat into you," I said sternly.
"Bella," Rose and Jasper both groaned.
"Why the hell are you calling me?" Edward demanded. Surprisingly he didn't sound angry, annoyed, or accusatory. More surprised than anything else.
"Carlisle proposed to Mom!" I screamed.
Alice and Rose joined in my screaming; Emmett wolf whistling and Jasper hooting. Edward chuckled. I was momentarily stunned. Edward had never expressed any positive emotion anywhere near me. His laughter was amazing. It was musical, velvety. It was amazing.
Stop it Bella. I scolded. He's your enemy. Not anymore. The other side of my conscience argued. His dad is marrying your mom.
"Wait!" Rose yelled. Everyone fell silent at her urgent tone. "What did Mom say?"
I paused for dramatic effect.
"Bella what did Mom say?" Jasper demanded.
"Jeez Jazzy no need to get so angry," I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"Bella!" they all yelled.
"Fine pick on the crippled," I said sarcastically.
"You haven't been injured in a few weeks, now answer the question!" Alice snapped impatiently.
"She said yes, duh," I rolled my eyes again.
Rose and Alice screamed again. I pulled the phone away from my ear. "Thanks guys, I think you just blew my ear drum," I grumbled.
"I think we've all just gone deaf," Edward agreed disgruntled.
"Wow Eddie, did you just agree with Bellsies?" Emmett asked with childish enthusiasm.
"Shut up Emmett," he growled. With a click he hung up.
"Damn," Emmett hissed. "I can't call him back. You called us Bells, call him back," he urged.
"I'm not calling him back," I said reproachfully. "For once he didn't try to bite my head off; I'm not ruining it."
"That's a girl," Jasper said approvingly. "Don't you corrupt my baby sister Em," he said protectively.
"I'm not a baby," I disagreed.
"Right," he said sarcastically.
"Oh yeah?" I challenged, sounding much like a child he was accusing me of being. "If I'm so babyish why did Carlisle ask my permission to marry Mom?"
There was a stunned pause on each end of the line.
"Seems like something Dad would do," Em said finally.
"Yeah, he's very old fashioned," Alice agreed.
"So is Mom," Jasper added.
"Well you all have fun and be home by ten; we have to be up early tomorrow," I instructed.
"But Bella," Rose whined. "Ten o'clock? That early? Why do we have to be up early?"
Alice's tinkling bell-like laughter echoed through the phone. "Rose you sound like a kid; Bella you sound like her mom."
"No I do not!" Rose disagreed vehemently.
"Yes you do Rosie, but that's why I love you so much," Emmett cooed.
I gagged at the kissing noises coming from both of their phone lines. "We have wedding plans to arrange early tomorrow morning. Alice, you and I have to start designing Esme's dress."
Alice squealed happily. "We'll come straight over tonight at ten and get started tonight. Do you mind if Edward comes over?"
I hesitated for a second, biting my lip. "Well no I guess not," I said unsurely. "He and the boys can play videogames while we get something done."
"I resent that!" Jasper stated. "I am a man not a boy."
"While you act like a boy, you are a boy. When you grow up and act like a man, I'll consider you one," I snapped. "Now be good children and be home at curfew."
"Yes mother," they chorused.
I rolled my eyes, hanging up.
Late August
The Wedding
"But Mom do I have to?" I whined. I whipped the sash around her waist, tying it in a neat bow at the back. I slid the zipper under her arm higher until it stuck. I straightened her skirts at pulled her around to face me. I toyed with her hair for a minute, twirling some loose strands back into the twist before sliding the crown of rosebuds into her hair. Her silken veil draped around her face with smooth elegance.
"Yes honey, it's only for a minute, then you stand next to me!" she sighed.
"Smile; it's your wedding," I urged. "You love Carlisle and he loves you so smile."
A smile lit up her face at Carlisle's name. "I do love him," she laughed dreamily. Her soft brown eyes glazed as she slipped into dreams of her fiancé.
"Now isn't the time to dream," I stated firmly, snapping my fingers in her face. "You have a wedding in fifteen minutes."
"I'm getting married in fifteen minutes!" she shrieked. She whirled around wildly nearly tripping in her one-inch heels.
"Mom calm down," I insisted, grabbing her wrist. "If it at all helps, I won't complain about walking down the isle with Edward." I said his name with a sigh. But it wasn't an annoyed sigh. More of a dreamy annoyed sigh.
Over the last few months of rigorous wedding planning, Edward and I hadn't had time to fight and complain about each other. We had almost become friends. Together we had planned the engagement dinner, the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon. We kept the last part a secret, not wanting to ruin the surprise for Mom and Carlisle. Alice and Rose attempted to help, but they kept getting caught up with Emmett and Jasper who were never any help at all. They acted so childish, it was all Edward and I could do to keep them in line.
"You like him," she teased, sounding like a teenage girl.
"No I don't!" I argued defensively.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Bella, moms know everything," she sighed. (A/N. My mom says this all the time.)
"So I don't hate him," I sighed back at her. "I have to go get my dress on."
I hurried out of the room, sliding the door shut behind me. I ran down the hall to my bedroom. Alice had already set out my dress. I fingered the soft blue satin with awe. I had taken my designs to a professional and it had come to life amazingly. It was a dark blue satin dress that draped around my small frame with grace. It pulled tightly around my chest and waist before cascading down in layers to my heels. It slid over my head like water falling around me.
I gazed in amazement at the woman in the mirror. She looked beautiful. Her dark auburn curls were pulled up in a twist at the base of her neck and waved down her back. The midnight blue satin complimented her skin like black and white.
"Bella," Alice yelled loudly, pounding on my door.
"Come in Alice," I said just loud enough for her to hear.
She yanked the door open and flew inside, Rose, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward on her heels.
"Where are you?" she demanded angrily.
"I'm right here," I murmured, stepping out of my walk in closet.
Alice and Rose were already dressed. Their dresses were the same shade as mine but each dress had a different style. Rose's draped around her super model body while Alice's cinched around her figure tightly.
The boys all had their suits on. Their shirts were the same shade of blue as our dresses; their pants and jackets black.
Jasper, Emmett and Edward gasped.
"You look hot Bella!" Emmett crowed, clapping.
Jasper glared. "You stay away from my little sister," he snarled playfully.
Rose slapped the back of Emmett's head, hard. "You will stay away from my little sister."
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I had no intention of going anywhere near her."
"Bella go put a sweater on," Jasper ordered. Alice, Edward and I laughed. I sat elegantly on the edge of my bed.
"I have to admit, blue is a good color on you," Edward said, shaking his head, his arms crossed.
Jasper and Rose both glared at him. "You…" they began simultaneously.
"I was just saying she looks good in blue," he said, both hands in the air.
"That better have been all you were saying," Jasper snapped.
Edward turned to look at me. "Are they always like this?" he asked, completely ignoring Jasper.
I shrugged. "Whenever there's a single boy within a ten foot radius of me, yes," I answered, unsure of his intentions. "And all of Jasper's friends are not allowed to stand in my bedroom doorway so consider yourself lucky to survive sitting on my desk."
I focused back on the mirror, fixing my eyeliner with concentrated precision. I added mascara and soft violet eye shadow before touching up my foundation and blush. Finally I misted perfume on my neck.
"We have a wedding to get to," I said, ushering them out the door and shutting it. "It's time!" I squealed, gesturing to the clock on the wall. "Mom is already downstairs."
Alice, Rose, Jasper, and Emmett started off down the stairs. I followed them, Edward trailing behind me. As my foot hit the last step, it slipped in the heel.
I screamed quietly, throwing my arms out to catch myself. I clenched my eyes shut waiting for the ground to hit me. It didn't happen. Instead strong arms caught my waist, pulling me to my feet seconds before I hit the ground. I looked up ruefully to thank Jasper but I met a pair of emerald green eyes instead of the usual blue.
"Are you alright?" he asked settling me back on my feet.
"Uh yeah, thanks," I said confused.
"What are you two doing?" Jasper demanded suspiciously.
"Falling and catching," I answered, sweeping through the doorway after him.
"Good," he said, still eyeing the two of us like we had done something wrong.
"Alice, Jasper, you two, go," Esme whisper called.
Alice linked her arm with Jaspers, placing a pixie like smile on her face. The two of them exited the house as I listened to the soft tune. Emmett and Rose followed five seconds later.
"Come on then," Edward urged. He looked down at me with his emerald green eyes, no trace of resentment in them. I nodded, slightly dazed by the beauty of them. He offered his arm and I rested my hand on it, the other grabbing my bouquet and the two of us stepped out onto the isle. Together we walked, smiling politely at all the guests. At the alter, he bowed his head to me and I dipped into a small curtsey before moving to stand next to Rose.
The wedding dragged on for a half an hour, which seemed like days. The minister's drawl voice lulled me into a half sleep. Rose stepped on my foot and shot I back up. Edward snickered quietly. I rolled my eyes at him. That only made him laugh harder.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister said finally. "You may kiss the bride."
Carlisle pulled Esme to his chest, kissing her passionately. Emmett, Jasper, and Edward wolf whistled. Esme waved her bouquet at them, still caught up in her kiss.
The Reception
As the maid of honor it was my job to make the first toast. I shivered nervously before standing up and taking the microphone in my free hand. In the other I held a glass of virgin champagne.
"When you adopted me Mom, the first thing you said to me was a promise. You promised that you wouldn't replace my family. That you would love me as a daughter but you would never replace my family." I looked up at her. She was smiling at the memory. "The thing is, you and Jasper and Rosalie are my family. You came to my first play, you taught me how to ride a bike, you were always there for me. You guys are my family because you love me and I love all of you. It was always like that, a mom, siblings, and me. But I've never had a dad. I never knew what I was missing, because I couldn't miss something I couldn't ever remember. Then she met you Carlisle. I don't know how you did it but you caught my mom's attention. Then we got to know you better and you treated us like your own kids. I felt like I finally had a dad and that makes everything even more perfect. So Carlisle welcome to the family." There was a round of applause as we all raised our glasses to Carlisle and Mom. I sat back in my seat, letting out a relieved sigh. I leaned back and listened to all the other toasts
Dances flew by, starting with the traditional bride and groom dance. When the father daughter dance was announced I paid no attention. I continued doodling on the edge of my napkin. I noticed a hand. Carlisle was standing next to me. I was surprised but in a pleasant way. I took his hand and allowed him to spin me out onto the dance floor.
"Did you mean what you said," he asked, looking down at me.
I smiled. "Yes, but you'd better take care of my mom."
Five Months Later
"I win!" I shrieked, leaping out of my car. I threw a hand into the air, giving Emmett a high five. "We beat you home by forty six seconds."
"No need to rub it in," Edward grumbled.
Over the past five months we had stopped arguing in general. We still occasionally jabbed at each other but we weren't enemies anymore. We just weren't friends.
"Twenty dollars Cullen fork it over," I ordered, holding out a hand. He slapped a twenty dollar bill into my open palm. I smiled impishly. "Thank you. Mom! Dad! We're home!" I screamed running inside. I had taken to calling Carlisle Dad easily.
Just then the phone rang.
"I got it! Hey Roger, what's up?" I answered cheerfully.
There was silence on the other end for a split second. "Bella?" Roger rasped. He sounded exhausted and over worked, worried and pained.
My smile slipped from my face. "Roger? What's wrong? Is Kiana alright? What about Leisel and David?"
"No we're all fine," he sighed. "Bella, please just listen to me okay?"
"Yeah sure," I said nervously. My heart pounded in my chest and my breathing sped up. "Please tell me. What's wrong?"
"James Anderson," he said with bitter resentment in his voice.
My heart skipped a beat. The man that murdered my parents. The man that chased after me across the globe for two years. The reason I woke up screaming every night for five years.
"What happened?" I whispered breathlessly.
"He escaped from jail this morning."
The phone slipped from my fingers hitting the ground with a crack. My vision blurred in and out of focus over and over. I swayed unsteadily.
"Bella are you alright?" Edward's velvet voice asked from behind me.
I could hardly hear him through the blood rushing through my head.
"Bella?"
I fell towards the floor, darkness swallowing me.
I know this is a really long first chapter.
I want a lot of reviews to continue this. I'm in the middle of three other stories so if I don't get the reviews I won't continue this.
Tell me what you think.
Merry Christmas/Happy New Year
Sea of Topaz